Practical Piano Pedagogy: The Definitive Text for Piano Teachers and Pedagogy Students Author: Dr. Martha Baker-Jordan Publisher: Warner Bros. Publications, 2003.

As the title suggests, this is probably one of the most practical, useful pedagogy texts I've seen. The inclusion of a CD-ROM, a feature common in many technology-related how-to books, adds value to the publication.

Authors: Marienne Uszler, Stewart Gordon, and Scott McBride Smith

Publisher: Schirmer Books, 2000.

The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher is a comprehensive textbook and reference for keyboard teachers that works well as an undergraduate-level textbook for pedagogy classes. It is also an excellent resource for new or experienced teachers who want to have a ready source of information about a broad range of pedagogy-related topics.

You've Got Rhythm: Read Music Better by Feeling the Beat Authors: Anna Dembska and Joan Harkness Publisher: Flying Leap Music, 2002. Website: www.fleap.com

Rhythm is at the heart of what musicians do, and rhythmic training is an essential part of a musician's development. Rhythmic exercises that involve some sort of tapping, conducting, or vocalization have long been a staple in many ear-training and musical rudiments courses, but they can often be tedious or boring. In their new book You've Got Rhythm , Anna Dembska and Joan Harkness have come up with a way of teaching rhythm which not only avoids boredom, but actually makes rhythmic training fun.

Author: Rebecca Payne Shockley

Publisher: A-R Editions, 2001.

As a piano teacher, I have often groped for ways to communicate the essence of a piece of music to a student, and for ways to help them understand the structure. Mapping Music provides a vehicle for doing just that. In a surprisingly simple, direct, and logical manner, Rebecca Shockley outlines and demonstrates the basic mapping techniques that will aid teachers and students alike in their study of new repertoire.

Notes from the Pianist's Bench by Boris Berman. Yale University Press, 2000. Notes from the Pianist's Bench at amazon.com

From the author's preface: "My goal is not to replace the piano instructor. Rather, students should approach the book in the same way they approach a master class - as an opportunity to be exposed to another point of view to complement the instruction of the teacher."

As I've read through (and re-read) many passages in this book, I can't help but feel fortunate to be "sitting at the feet of a master." Mr. Berman's writing style is engaging and personal, and if the book is a masterclass, it occurs in the intimacy of his studio, rather than in a more formal and impersonal auditorium or recital hall.